"What is the hardest single ballet (or section of a ballet) you or your colleagues has ever had to dance?

"That answer is easy: Balanchine’s Square Dance. I can’t speak for everyone, but I am 90% certain that everyone who has danced this ballet would say it is one of the hardest things they have ever done. The other 10% have a very strong petite allegro (small, quick, jumps) and the choreography thus comes much easier to them. I am jealous!

"For the Corps, Square Dance is known as one of the most difficult ballets ever created. It is a solid 20 minutes of nothing but pure technique.

"To the audience, this ballet looks so easy....if only they knew how difficult that was! I wish people could see it for the tremendous effort that is put into it. But then again, if the audience cannot tell how difficult it is and how tired it makes the dancers, we did our jobs.

"I often wonder how this ballet appears to an audience member who is not familiar with ballet technique. The cast is not very big and there are no tremendously exciting group steps. I wonder if the audience may see it as bland. For us, knowing the choreography intimately, we know it is yet another Balanchine work of genius. I wish the audience could know all that we know."

"In most theaters in Europe, the stages are “raked”, which means that floor is at a slight angle. This is meant to give the audience a better view of the stage. But for us, it feels very strange! Sometimes it feels as if you are dancing up a hill! This will surely take some adjusting to.

"The rehearsal this evening was in full costume and makeup as photos were being taken. We also knew that there would be some people in attendance as it was and open rehearsal, or a “cours public”. When the curtain rose on Ballet Imperial, we found the house full up to the top tier. Panic ensued; we all had no idea that this would end up being like a performance! This is the first time Paris is seeing us…. I sure hope that they know this is the first time we have danced this ballet on this stage. They remember that this is a rehearsal, right? ....We were happy to hear cheers erupting from the house."

"As always, despite nerves and anticipation, you could tell that everyone was having a wonderful time out on the stage. I have never been a part of such a long curtain call. The applause went on and on. It was such an amazing moment, I will never forget it. When the curtain finally fell, a rush of emotion hit us all. We had just done it! We had just debuted in France; we are now an international company. Everyone was embracing, crying tears of joy, and congratulating each other on an a successful first Paris performance. I felt so proud to be a part of this exceptional group of dancers.

"This morning when we came into class, Edward [Edward Villella, fondateur et directeur, Miami City Ballet] shared his emotions with us, tearfully telling us how proud he was of us, saying “I love you guys”. You could tell he was on cloud nine [il était très heureux], and we are right up there with him."

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot post attachments in this forum